Hadrian's Lover (35 page)

Faial, having finished her silent communication, cuts Graham off. “That action was at the accused’s request. My client has made no such declaration!” She adds fervently, “And, any such request must come through me.”

“Or your aide,” Sabine adds gleefully. Faial’s instant anger is unusual, suggesting her back is against the wall—the exact position she hopes he and Elena Stiles believe she is in.

Faial ponders Sabine’s comment briefly. It is unlikely Gil would betray her. The two have worked closely for over twenty years. They are very close, Faial being Gil’s spouse’s son’s auntie. When Gil’s boy was diagnosed with leukemia, Faial had financed the boy’s treatment. Gil may have them convinced he is working for them, but the odds of his betrayal are very unlikely.
But why didn’t he say anything when I voc’d? Either they haven’t contacted him and are bluffing or I never gave him the opportunity.
Her messaging was sent like a Gatling gun. She had learned years ago how to text with a blink of the eye so she wouldn’t have to speak. Most people don’t use this feature because it is very hard to master, but master it she did for when she needed to let others know something important quickly; quietly pulling up the keyboard is the only way.
No,
she reasons,
Gil is trustworthy
—yet, Sabine and Stiles seem so sure. She finds herself asking, “Have you received Frank Hunter’s consent?”

Both Stiles and Sabine smile, suggesting the answer is yes. Yet Sabine’s eyes shift ever so slightly, betraying his confidence. They are waiting on it. Stiles, on the other hand, has the perfect poker face. Faial considers the vice president her real opponent. This woman has substantial power and is now running for president. This court case may very well destroy her chances of winning. Considering just how dangerous Elena Stiles could be, Faial decides to bargain. “Well, I’m not giving you an out of court option. What would you like instead?”

“Keep my daughter out of it!” Elena Stiles answers instead of Sabine. Faial has gauged his role correctly. He is merely Stiles’ tool.

Losing Crystal Albright’s testimony is huge. It is a key point in Faial’s
argument. Without the girl’s confession, Sabine might very well convince the court that the text message is fraudulent. Faial is only worried slightly over that; at best, Sabine might be able to cast some doubt as to Crystal’s authoring it, but there is enough damning information in the text for Faial to open up the idea that Todd Middleton was not a rapist but a young man in love. A young man who had been betrayed by his lover, the woman he loved; a young man who had then been raped while at reeducation camp. Her plan is to show how Todd’s mental state deteriorated to such an extent that he could never have accepted life as a homosexual—not after everything that had happened to him. Thus Frank Hunter is no longer a murderer but one who committed the lawful act of euthanasia. Would the text alone be enough? Probably. Even if Sabine does manage to cast some doubt over its authorship, the damage will be done. Graham Sabine is an opponent Faial feels confident in overcoming, but Elena Stiles—Vice President Stiles, soon to be President Stiles—founding family member Stiles—this woman is a hurdle Faial is unsure she can leap. “I’ll keep Crystal off the stand, but the text is being used as evidence.” Before Elena Stiles can explode, Faial adds, “It is already documented evidence.” Stiles’ glare is daunting, but Faial is not backing down on this point. She wants her client to live. Elena Stiles’ reaction is more subdued than Faial expected. She nods once, and though her face remains grim, her scowl fades ever so slightly. Faial has the sinking feeling that she has just given the woman exactly what she wanted all along. Everything prior to this moment has been a bluff. Faial comes to realize that as much power as a founding family may have, not even its members can circumvent their own laws. Elena Stiles had known all along that she couldn’t keep Faial from putting her daughter on the stand until she wrenched the offer out of her.
Thank Hadrian it’s Graham I will be up against in the courtroom and not this woman!
Faial takes a brief moment to remind herself never to play poker with Elena Stiles.
She’d clean me right out, down to the very last credit.